Free Trade Union facts for kids
The Free Trade Union was a British group. It started in July 1903 and lasted until the 1970s. Later, it changed its name to the Free Trade League. This group focused on ideas about trade.
What Was the Free Trade League?
The Free Trade Union was a special kind of organisation. It was formed to support "free trade." This means trading goods between countries without extra taxes or limits.
Why Was It Started?
The group began because it disagreed with a plan. This plan was called "Imperial Preference." Joseph Chamberlain, a British leader, started this idea in 1903.
Imperial Preference wanted Britain to trade more with its colonies. It would add extra taxes, called tariffs, on goods from other countries. This made goods from British colonies cheaper. The Free Trade Union believed this was not a good idea for trade.
Who Was Involved?
Many people were part of the Free Trade Union. Andrew McFadyean was the group's president. He led them from 1948 to 1959.
The group was also close to some members of the Liberal Party. This was a major political party in Britain. Bertrand Russell, a famous thinker, also spoke for the group.
By 1959, the Free Trade Union had about 1,000 to 2,000 members. However, the group had money problems.
What Happened Next?
Later, Oliver Smedley and Stanley Walter Alexander took over the group. Because of this, some important Liberal Party members left.
In 1962, the group changed its name. It became the "Free Trade League." This was to avoid confusion with other groups called "trade unions."
The Free Trade League finally closed down around 1972. However, some members, like David Wedgwood, started a new group with the same name.
